Ex Ireland rugby star convicted for failing to prevent gang rape is axed by club

Days after it was revealed governing body Ulster Rugby was working with the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) to block Clogher Valley RFC signing Chris Farrell, the club confirmed he was no longer registered with them.

The former centre, who was part of the Ireland team that won the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2018 and who was previously signed by Ulster Rugby in 2011 and played for Munster from 2017 until he was let go in 2023, had been signed for their senior men’s team.

A spokesperson for the club said: “On behalf of Clogher Valley RFC, I wish to advise that Chris Farrell is no longer a registered player for our club.”

News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday, October 28

In August, it was reported how the disgraced player was signed by the Fivemiletown team despite the fact he is still serving a sentence in connection with failing to prevent the sex attack on a 21-year-old French student in 2017.

Farrell was given a four-year sentence at the end of last year, with two years suspended. Three of his former Grenoble team-mates were convicted of rape.

He did not have to spend time behind bars, but was told he had to wear an electronic tag for two years and remain in France. Despite the stipulation last December, Farrell’s lawyer said his client was allowed back in Northern Ireland. It is believed he has since returned to France.

The Fivemiletown-born sports star had taken part in a touch rugby tournament organised by Clogher Valley Rugby Football Club on July 26 at their home ground of The Cran in the town.

On the club’s official Facebook and Instagram pages, Farrell was pictured playing and posing for photos with players, including young females. The club stated that the event saw “familiar faces returning to the pitch”.

Last weekend Ulster Rugby said: “Regarding Clogher Valley RFC, Ulster Rugby has been liaising with the IRFU to prevent the registration of the intended player, who is not currently being fielded or involved in the club’s set-up.

“This reflects our strong opposition to any involvement in rugby by individuals whose actions are fundamentally at odds with the values of our sport.”

Sources say that Clogher Valley RFC officials then decided not to proceed with their plans due to the growing controversy. Farrell (32) was sacked by French club Oyonnax following his conviction at the end of last year.

At the trial at Bordeaux’s Cour d’Asisses last December where the rugby player was convicted for failure to prevent a crime — namely the rape — former Ireland Under-20 international Denis Coulson was sentenced to 14 years in prison after he was found guilty of the sex attack in a Bordeaux hotel in 2017.

Loick Jammes (30) from France, was found guilty of rape and given a 14-year sentence, while Rory Grice (34), from New Zealand, was found guilty of rape and given a 12-year sentence.

Dylan Hayes (30), also from New Zealand, was given a two-year suspended sentence for failure to prevent a crime.

The victim, who was 20 at the time of the rape, met the rugby team-mates at a bar in Bordeaux before they headed on to a nightclub. After waking up at a hotel surrounded by rugby players, the student — referred to in court as ‘V’ — left in tears.

She told police she had no recollection of how she got from the club to the hotel, where she had woken up naked on a bed with a crutch inserted inside her.

Coulson, Jammes and Grice all said they had sexual relations with her but claimed it was consensual. All three were convicted of rape.

Hayes and Farrell, who owned the crutch used in the assault, were present. Both were convicted of failing to prevent the rape taking place.

Following the sentencing, Farrell’s lawyer said the rugby player had not been out with the group and only became aware they had been drinking when they came back to the hotel.

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